Short notice! Advice on buying used amp!

[atarilovesyou]

Hey guys, I need quick help and advice..looking at 2 amps tomorrow, and I need to know the warning signs if they're pieces of crap. The JSX head and the Marshall TSL 100 head...the marshall has the matching half cab and the JSX has a 2 12 combo (also marshall)...other than plugging in and checking the knobs and obvious signs of damage, is there anything else I should be looking for? The owner of the JSX says the amp has literally 4 hours on it, he needs the coins...TSL not sure of.

The thing is the price is VERY nice for both amps (different sellers tho) and if I hesitate too long, they'll be gone for sure.

So what can I look for, warning side?....funky smells? Burnt looking back plate? Any help would be great and I'll let you know how I make out...I'll stop in for the responses tomorrow after work!

Thanks!

[Xavier 7]

Make sure the thing turns on and that the tubes aren't fried. But I'm sure you thought of that.

[rgr]

Originally Posted by atarilovesyou

the marshall has the matching half cab and the JSX has a 2 12 combo (also marshall)...

You mean a 2-12 cabinet with the JSX? Tough call, if the deal is right, I would probably go with the JSX, but both are decent amps. You also want to check the cab, the 1936 is a better Marshall 2-12 than the 1922, it's bigger and sounds better. Kinda comes down to whether you want a 4-12 or 2-12 cabinet.

I would play both and get the one that sounds best to you, assuming both power up and work fine. Nothing really to check for if they work, you might ask how old the tubes are. Of course, if you smell something burning other than warm tubes, probably a good sign to pass on that one.

[red5]

2x12s are more easily portable too, remember that...

If it fires up and sounds good that's usually what I check for. The condition of the outside usually says a lot as to how the previous owner took care of it as well.

[Gex]

Personally, I think the JSX toasts it.

Better tones, and the Peavey is made alot better. They're known for their reliablitly.

The JCM 2000's, on the other hand, are known for their frequent breakdowns.

[Chud]

Originally Posted by Gex

Personally, I think the JSX toasts it.

Better tones, and the Peavey is made alot better. They're known for their reliablitly.

The JCM 2000's, on the other hand, are known for their frequent breakdowns.

Nah they're completely different IMO.

I find the JSX is more trebly then the TSL100. The TSL100 has a smoother overdrive sound with a bit of grit which i find better for Satch's sound. The crunch channel on the JSX is allright but not really an overall fravorite for me. I prefer the lead channel. The JSX doesn't really have that smooth overdrive sound. Too put it bluntly (i know i'll get axed for this ) the JSX sounds a bit like a solid state amp wound up on the Lead channel, but with more warmth and bass (which isn't a bad thing). I know i've said this before but the JSX i play through is the one that Satch used on the G3 tour with Malmsteen. It has his settings penciled onto it and all the ware and tare/road cases. Even with his settings dialed in, it doesn't really sound like the tones you get on the record (though i know his hands make a difference to the sound )

One guy put it best on Dave Weiner's forums in that the JSX sounds like a Solando. The Marshall sounds like a... Marshall.

[atarilovesyou]

...thanks for the tips, it's just such short notice and the amp I wanted really came down to these two and it just so happened both are in my area used. I was actually leaning towards a JSX 2 12 combo (price, versatile for smaller venues) but the TSL seemed like an 'ultimate' Marshall that was out of my price range. One will be bought in the next 2 days so I'll let you know how I make out!

[Drew]

I actually didn't like the TSL-100 I used to own for two reasons - inability to dial up a "smooth" lead tone (I've since gone back to a Mesa Nomad set for a Mark-like lead sound, if that tells you anything), and the "swell" you get when you switch channels. The rhythm sound from the Lead channel was sheer brutality, though, with the gain 6-ish, mid shift off (worthless feature, IMO), and a very slight mid scoop, and the emulated output was excellent.

Never played a JSX, so I can't give you specific pros/cons, but I will say it's possible to get a good Satch tone from the Marshall, too.

Things to look for - take a look at the labels on the power tubes. If they've started to discolour and the printing on them looks a little toasted or burnt, that's a pretty sure-fire sign that they've had lots of playtime and are about due for a switch. If the printing on them isn't discolored, you can't say for sure they're fresh, exactly, but you can be pretty comfortable that they still have life to them and won't be needing a replacement in the near future.

Also, make sure you get a chance to crank the thing. Even a minute or so full-bore should be enough to bring out any volume-related issues with the amps - shorting out when cranked, tubes/cabinets rattling, tube arcing, whatever.

[atarilovesyou]

Ok, so I made a decision and went with the JSX head and the Marshall 2 X 12 1936 cabinet. Got it for a nice deal, too. The head is MINT, manuals and everything (registration card too!). The cab has a bit of wear, but that's ok. It looks like it's been on stage and in transit, but the logo is good and all is well inside. I opened it up and saw that the Celestions were the British ones..the cab looks to be made in 1997, I hear at harmony central that the later versions speakers were made in China? I'm not sure...something about particle board in the construcion but it's a breeze to lift, so I'm not complaining.

Plugged her in the other day, let it rip up a bit, and I'm really happy with it. I would have liked to have gotten the Marshall TSL 100, as it came with a half cab...but he let me know he had some mechanical issues with it (it's working fine now), switching and such. And the foot switch was on order. But I'd still like to have a Marshall! ....early onset GAS.

I think the JSX will be a great entry point into tube heads...versatile and powerful.

NOW....any links to JSX forums out there? I've scanned around here for some time, but I can't find many. I'll let you know how I make out. Like most, I love the clean channel, the amber channel is quite barky (AC DC comes to mind) and the lead channel is good, but I'm still working on getting a nice metal tone. I know there's ways to get it to imitate a MESA pretty nice, same with a JCM 800 tone. I just haven't figured it out yet! Worse comes to worse, i'll use the clean channel and pedal it to get those 80's sounds. But I do enjoy the main distortions the amp provides for my own music.

Thanks!

[Gex]

Originally Posted by atarilovesyou

Ok, so I made a decision and went with the JSX head and the Marshall 2 X 12 1936 cabinet.
Plugged her in the other day, let it rip up a bit, and I'm really happy with it. I would have liked to have gotten the Marshall TSL 100, as it came with a half cab...but he let me know he had some mechanical issues with it (it's working fine now), switching and such. And the foot switch was on order. But I'd still like to have a Marshall! ....early onset GAS.
Thanks!

Good choice.

Thats what I was talking about with the Marshalls, those things are always in the shop.

If you want a Marshall, get one made before 1984.